Zermatt

The mountain village of Zermatt nestled beneath the iconic silhouette of the Matterhorn is one of the great alpine resorts in the world. It is made even more welcoming by the lack of automobile traffic and noise. It is truly a walker’s paradise and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Swiss Semester is able to take full advantage of the many outdoor opportunities while maintaining a rigorous academic schedule. Zermatt and its spectacular surrounding peaks provide the students with physical challenges and an ideal setting in which to study, learn, reflect, and grow. Given the town’s small size and easy accessibility to the students, it does not take them long to make this their new home and a very special home at that!

The following websites provide further information about Zermatt and Switzerland and my help parents keep up with their children:

Zermatt Tourism—a website updated and sponsored by Zermatt’s Office of Tourism. This site will also include some weather information as well as webcam coverage.

Zermatt History—this website provides a brief history of Zermatt as well as some slightly outdated but still helpful statistics about the town.

The Swiss Tourist Office—can provide you excellent information concerning your travels in Switzerland. A great source to help you plan your travels.

The Swiss Trains—the official website for the timely Swiss train system. You can find out about train connections as well as look into discounts (Swiss Card).

The Trains to Zermatt—the site for information about the train (privately owned) up the valley to Zermatt as well as information about the train in Zermatt—Gornergrat Train.

Zermatt Lifts—provides you a list, cost, and timetable for the lifts in and around Zermatt.

The Alpine Center—home to the very professional Swiss Mountain Guides. There are plenty of climbing options in and around Zermatt, and these are the people to contact about those different options as well as for ski lessons and off-piste skiing.

Fun Park Zermatt—This extensive ropes course at the end of town has levels for just about anyone! (http://zermatt-fun.ch)

Air Zermatt—provides tours of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks by helicopter. Air Zermatt also provides emergency rescue if needed.

Zermatt Air Taxi—provides Swiss Semester students and parents an opportunity to see Zermatt from a much different perspective—suspended from a parachute!